Automatic alarm-box



no Model.) v

J. H. sMlTH. AUTOMATIU ALARM BOX.

No. 515,260. Patented Feb 20, 1894.

UNI Srnrns JAY HUN GERFORD SMITH, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

AUTOMATIC ALARM-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 515,260, dated February 20, 1894'.

Application filed November 25 1893- $erial No. 491,986. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAY HUNGERFORD SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Automatic Alarm- Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has for its object to provide a sample or show box for use on counters and the like, with novel means whereby an alarm will be given if the box is opened, for the purpose of preventing a pilferer from abstracting an article or articles from the box without notice.

To accomplish this object my invention consists in the features of construction or atrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of abox provided with my invention, the box having two lids, both of which are opened. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view; and Fig. 3.is a detail perspective view of the alarm mechanism.

In order to enable those skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will now de scribe the same in detail, referring to the drawings, wherein I have illustrated my invention applied to that type of display or show boxes composed of a box body 1, a main lid or cover 2 hinged to the rear wall of the box-body, and a transparent or glass lid 3 hinged to the front Wall of the box-body, and through which the article or articles contained in the box are visible. I wish it understood, however, that I do not confine my invention to any particular box, as the latter may be of any construction, form, shape, or configuration suitable for containing or exhibiting goods or articles, and adapted to be placed on the counter of a store or other place.

The audible alarm is composed of a gong or bell 4, a spring-striker 5, and a striker-operating arm 6 adapted to be moved in one direction by closing the box-lid, and to engage the striker in such manner that when the box-lid is opened or raised the striker will be operated to sound the gong or bell, thus attracting attention and preventing a pilferer from abstracting an article or articles from the box without notice.

In the example illustrated by the drawings, the alarm mechanism is arranged within a casing contained within the box-body and composed of vertical walls 7, and a horizontal or top wall 8 provided with a slot or orifice 9. The bell or gong 4 is located within the easing, and may be secured and supported in any suitable manner. .The striker 5 is provided with an elastic or spring-arm 10, secured at one end to a standard or support 12 within the casing; and to this standard or support is also attached one end of the elastic or spring-arm 6, having at its opposite end portion an upwardly projecting stem 13 which extends through the slot 9, and is adapted to be depressed by the box-lid 3 when the latter is closed. The spring-arm 6 is also provided with a pair of pendent-jaws 14, preferably composed of pieces of wire bent in such manner as to provide converging portions 15, and diverging lower end portions 16 to form shoulders 17 which normally lie in juxtaposition to each other,but are adapted to be separated by the action of the striker-arm 10 so that when the stem 13 and arm 6 are depressed by the box-lid, the striker-arm 10 will pass by the shoulders 17 and occupy a position above the same. The jaws 14 are elastic, and when the box-lid is raised the spring-arm 6 will fly upward and lift the striker-arm 10, but as the tension of this arm 10 increases it will separate the shoulders 17 and, thus becoming released, the striker will sound the gong or bell.

In the practical use of my invention, I prefer to make the top wall 8 of the casing containing the alarm mechanism in imitation of the top portions or packages containing the articles or goods which are placed within the box; and I prefer to arrange this casing in one corner of the box, so that the major portion of the latter is rendered available for the packages, articles, or goods which are to be displayed or exhibited.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is-- 1. A box for counter use, having an opening and closing lid, a gong, a spring-arm carryin g a striker, and a spring-arm having elastic jaws to engage and disengage the strikerarm, and a stem adapted to be moved in one direction by closing the box-lid for engaging the elastic jaws with the striker-arm, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a box, of an alarm mechanism composed of a gong or bell, a spring-striker, and a spring-arm having a stem and a pair of elastic jaws provided with dixo vergent end portions, and shoulders arranged opposite each other, substantially as and for the purposes described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAY HUN GERFORD SMITH.

Witnesses:

WM. H. STOUT, T. O. HAMLIN. 

